Punjab Sets 3 Year Jail Term for Manhole Cover and Streetlight Theft

The Punjab government has approved the Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Ordinance 2026, introducing prison terms and heavy fines for theft, illegal removal, sale, or damage of public utility infrastructure, including manhole covers and streetlights.

The Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department, which oversees Water and Sanitation Agencies and development authorities, initiated the ordinance following an increase in theft and vandalism of public installations across the province.

Authorities cited repeated incidents involving missing manhole covers that created serious safety hazards for the public. Under the new law, theft of public utility installations carries imprisonment ranging from one to three years and fines between Rs. 200,000 and Rs. 3 million.

The illegal removal, purchase, or sale of government installations without authorization also carries one to three years in prison and fines from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 3 million. Causing damage to public infrastructure will result in imprisonment of three months to one year and fines between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 200,000.

The ordinance also targets scrap dealers and re rolling plants involved in purchasing or processing stolen public materials. Offenders may face up to three years in prison and fines ranging from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 10 million. Repeat offenders may receive three to six years in prison and fines between Rs. 300,000 and Rs. 10 million.

If damage to public infrastructure results in loss of life, authorities will also apply relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code in addition to penalties under the ordinance.